Hot!Velvet Freeze

Velvet Freeze

Anyone else remember the old Velvet Freeze chain? They used to be everywhere in St. Louis, but almost all of them disappeared in the Mid to late 80s. I understand that the very last one in the chain is still operating in the St. Louis suburb of Jennings...I may hve to pay them a visit. Anyone have any more background info on the chain? As I remember, they had locations throughout Missouri & Illinois, and may have had some in other states as well.

The "milk shake" thread made me think of Velvet Freeze. We had one in Independence during the '60s, right across from the library where I got my first paying job. The place smelled terrible, but it had the only 32-ounce soft drink in town. Wow! The milk shakes were good, too, on pay day.

I grew up in Berkeley and in the late 50's I used to ride my bike over to the Velvet Freeze in Bel-Nor for a BBQ sandwich and a malted or for one of their banana splits. I've not thought about them in ages...good memories.

My family owned Velvet Freeze. My great-grandfather started it, had four sons (one being my grandfather). They had stores all over Missouri and Illinois. All four sons were in the ice cream business. My grandfather closed the last family owned Velvet Freeze in 1980. They sold the name but not the recipes. For those curious on how it got it's name: My great grandmother tasted the ice cream and said it was as smooth as velvet. Back then they called ice cream "freeze" so the name became Velvet Freeze.

Of the four brothers, only one is still alive. My great uncle just turned 96 earlier this month. He is still as sharp as a tack! My grandfather passed away in 1997 after a 21 year battle with Parkinson's Disease. The surviving brother was also the oldest of the four.

I have two of the original ice cream scoopers that my grandfather had in his store. I use them all the time to scoop ice cream for my own children.

The name still is out there, but it is not the same... I do have the original recipes, but I don't know if I could ever compare to what my family made so many years ago!

It is so wonderful to know that my family's business left a lasting impression on so many!

My family owned Velvet Freeze. My great-grandfather started it, had four sons (one being my grandfather). They had stores all over Missouri and Illinois. All four sons were in the ice cream business. My grandfather closed the last family owned Velvet Freeze in 1980. They sold the name but not the recipes. For those curious on how it got it's name: My great grandmother tasted the ice cream and said it was as smooth as velvet. Back then they called ice cream "freeze" so the name became Velvet Freeze.

Of the four brothers, only one is still alive. My great uncle just turned 96 earlier this month. He is still as sharp as a tack! My grandfather passed away in 1997 after a 21 year battle with Parkinson's Disease. The surviving brother was also the oldest of the four.

I have two of the original ice cream scoopers that my grandfather had in his store. I use them all the time to scoop ice cream for my own children.

The name still is out there, but it is not the same... I do have the original recipes, but I don't know if I could ever compare to what my family made so many years ago!

It is so wonderful to know that my family's business left a lasting impression on so many!

My dad worked for Velvet Freeze until his death in '68. I have fond memories of visiting the plant on Gravois in St Louis with him

My grandmother worked for the Velvet Freeze in Jennings from the 1960's through most of the 70's. She was very popular due to serving a generous scoop and having a great service oriented personality. I have fond childhood memories of those visits. There was also another location near my childhood home in suburban St. Louis county located at the intersection of Telegraph and Kingston roads. That location like most others eventually became history. A decade later, while on leave in the military, my wife and I discovered Velvet Freeze again in south St. Louis on Hampton avenue. Sadly, that location closed in the late 90's/early 00's and has since been the home of other retail businesses.

My family and I have a long history both working at and eating Velvet Freeze (along with a passion for ice cream and St. Louis), and we are convinced the time is right to resurrect the brand. I am interested in bringing it back made the original way, faithful to the original flavors and recipes. Would like to speak with you regarding some creative ideas we have that can make this happen. It has always been a premium product and, if done right, it would be a can't-miss.

If you are interested please reply so we can set up a meeting. Not even sure if you still login to these blogs but I feel this was definitely worth a try. Thanks.